Firelog tray

ABSTRACT

A firelog tray comprises a rigid plate and a plurality of log supporting members protruding upwardly from the rigid plate for supporting a firelog on the free top ends of the log supporting members spaced above the plate to provide combustion air beneath the firelog. The plate includes a lowermost central portion locating the log supporting members thereon. A forward portion and a rearward portion of the plate extend upward from opposing sides of the central portion to form a generally U-shaped trough with open ends. The rearward portion has a concave and reflective inner surface which is near to a height of the firelog for optimally reflecting heat and light forwardly and outwardly from the firetray.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tray arranged to support a firelog thereon, for example in a fireplace, and more particularly relates to a tray arranged for collecting ash resulting from combustion of the log.

BACKGROUND

Use of firelogs are common in fireplaces in which the firelog may comprise a synthetic log including wax and other flammable fuels which are formed into elongate log shape which is either generally cylindrical or rectangular in shape so as to represent a wood log of the type typically burned in residential fireplaces and the like. When typically burning a synthetic firelog, the resulting fire can occasionally be limited in brightness due to a limited surface area of the log being exposed to combustion air for burning.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,362 belonging to Underdown, U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,340 belonging to Chong, U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,054 belonging to Romero et al and U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,275 belonging to Gazaille disclose various examples of devices for supporting logs in a fireplace however in each instance the log is intended to be supported directly against a large surface area of the device thus limiting the exposed surface area of the log to which combustion air is accessible so that the resulting brightness of the flame is reduced.

A further function of a log supporting device in a typical fireplace is to collect ash resulting from the combustion of firelogs. Typical ash collecting trays are separate from the components which support the log thereon and comprise a form of tray with raised edges for retaining ashes collected thereon.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,625 belonging to Landman and U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,744 belonging to Taylor disclose examples of fireplace trays for catching ashes. In each instance the tray includes a flat bottom with side walls extending upwardly about a full periphery of the flat bottom. While the sides serve to retain the ash collected on the bottom, when disposing of the collected ash, the pan must be flipped over and inverted to release the ash so that the dumping of the ash typically results in a large cloud of dust due to the large disturbance of the ash in inverting the tray to dispose of the ash.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a firelog tray for supporting a firelog thereon, the tray comprising:

a rigid plate arranged to span in a longitudinal direction a length of a firelog to be supported above the plate and arranged to span in a lateral direction a width of the firelog to be supported above the plate; and

a plurality of log supporting members mounted on the rigid plate, each comprising a protrusion extending upwardly from the plate to a free end spaced above the plate;

the log supporting members being spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction of the plate so as to be arranged to support the firelog on the free ends of the log supporting members spaced above the plate.

By providing a plurality of log supporting members which extend upwardly to respective free ends thereof spaced above the plate, the plate serves to collect ashes thereon from the combustion of a firelog while the firelog is supported spaced above the tray with a minimum surface area of the log being contacted only by the free ends of the log supporting members to maximize the air flow to the firelog and accordingly maximize the brightness of the flame and the combustion of the firelog.

Furthermore by providing protrusions which extend upwardly from the plate to a free end spaced above the plate, the log supporting members are well suited for securely receiving a log which is under combustion thereon as the protrusions serve to penetrate into the burning log thus reducing the risk of the log rolling off of the tray during combustion for increased safety compared to many prior art designs of log supporting devices and firelog trays.

In a preferred embodiment the firelog tray includes a rearward portion which extends upwardly along a rear edge of the tray by at least a height of the log when supported on the log supporting members so as to reflect heat and light from the combustion of the log forwardly back towards the log and towards the room with which the fireplace communicates to further maximize combustion and brightness of the combustion of a firelog. A reflective plating may be provided on the rigid plate of the firelog tray to maximize the reflective properties of the light of combustion as well as resisting any heat damage to the plate.

The plate which extends upwardly along a rear edge behind a log supported thereon can be formed to include a continuous concave inner surface for ease of manufacturing as compared to the assembly of multiple different panels or forming multiple folds and formations in a panel when manufacturing firelog trays according to the prior art.

Furthermore by manufacturing the rigid plate of the firelog tray as a continuous curved sheet in the form of a generally U-shaped trough with open ends, the shape of the rigid plate readily collects ash towards a central portion of the plate while permitting the ash to be easily disposed of by sliding through one of the open ends of the trough shape for minimum disturbance of the ash when disposing the ash as opposed to flipping the tray into an inverted position as required according to the prior art. Accordingly in addition to ease of manufacturing, the curved shape of the preferred embodiment of the firelog tray disclosed herein readily permits a cleaner disposal of the resulting ash from combustion of a firelog.

The rigid plate preferably comprises a continuous sheet of material which is free of apertures.

The log supporting members are preferably supported on a lowermost portion of the rigid plate.

The rigid plate may extend upwardly and outwardly in two opposing direction from the lowermost portion. The lowermost portion of the plate may comprise a central portion extending generally horizontally in the longitudinal direction.

In this instance there may be provided a forward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the lateral direction from a forward side of the central portion and a rearward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the lateral direction from a rearward side of the central portion.

The central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion preferably form a trough extending in the longitudinal direction between opposite ends of the rigid plate having a generally U-shaped cross section in which at least one of the opposite ends being open and unobstructed.

The central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion may have a continuous inner surface which is generally concave so as to be arranged to be curved about the firelog to be supported above the plate.

Preferably the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion extend generally horizontally in the longitudinal direction and are curved in the lateral direction.

The rearward portion may extend upwardly greater than the forward portion to a rear edge of the plate which is arranged to be near to or greater than a height of the firelog when supported on the log supporting members.

Preferably at least the rearward portion has a generally concave inner surface arranged to be curved about the firelog to be supported above the plate.

The log supporting members may comprise elongate rod members mounted to extend upwardly from an upper face of the rigid plate.

There may also be provided a plurality of legs extending downwardly from an opposing lower face of the rigid plate in which the legs are arranged to support the rigid plate spaced above a horizontal supporting surface upon which the legs are arranged to be supported.

Both a forward edge and a rearward edge of the rigid plate which extend in the longitudinal direction of the plate may include a downwardly folded portion extending generally downwardly therefrom to strengthen the forward and rearward edges.

Preferably at least an inner surface of the rigid plate is arranged to be reflective. The inner surface of the rigid plate may be reflective by providing a plating of reflective and heat resistant material thereon.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a firelog tray for supporting a firelog thereon, the tray comprising:

a rigid plate arranged to span in a longitudinal direction a length of a firelog to be supported above the plate and arranged to span in a lateral direction a width of the firelog to be supported above the plate, the rigid plate being formed of a continuous sheet of material which is free of apertures, the rigid plate further comprising:

-   -   a central portion extending generally horizontally in the         longitudinal direction;     -   a forward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the         lateral direction from a forward side of the central portion;         and     -   a rearward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the         lateral direction from a rearward side of the central portion;     -   the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward         portion forming a trough extending in the longitudinal direction         between opposite ends of the rigid plate and having a generally         U-shaped cross section;     -   at least one of the opposite ends being open and unobstructed;         and

a plurality of log supporting members mounted on the central portion of the rigid plate, at spaced apart positions relative to one another, so as to be arranged to support the firelog on the log supporting members spaced above the plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a firelog tray for supporting a firelog thereon, the tray comprising:

a rigid plate arranged to span in a longitudinal direction a length of a firelog to be supported above the plate and arranged to span in a lateral direction a width of the firelog to be supported above the plate, the rigid plate comprising:

-   -   a central portion extending generally horizontally in the         longitudinal direction;     -   a forward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the         lateral direction from a forward side of the central portion;         and     -   a rearward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the         lateral direction from a rearward side of the central portion;     -   the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward         portion forming a trough extending in the longitudinal direction         between opposite ends of the rigid plate and having a generally         U-shaped cross section;     -   at least the rearward portion having a generally concave inner         surface arranged to be curved about the firelog to be supported         above the plate; and

a plurality of log supporting members mounted on the central portion of the rigid plate, at spaced apart positions relative to one another, so as to be arranged to support the firelog on the log supporting members spaced above the plate.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the firelog tray.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the firelog tray.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the firelog tray.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the firelog tray.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a firelog tray generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The tray 10 is particularly suited for supporting a firelog 12 thereon, for example a synthetic firelog or any other type of firelog to be combusted in a fireplace and the like. The tray is arranged to support the firelog in a manner in which a better flow of combustion air is provided to the firelog to produce a brighter flame. The tray also permits ash to be more easily collected for subsequent disposal, while at the same time reflecting more heat and light back into a room with which a fireplace receiving the firelog tray therein communicates.

The tray generally comprises a rigid plate 14 arranged to span beneath the log 12 such that the log is spaced above the plate by a plurality of log supporting members 16. The log supporting members 16 extend upwardly from the plate to support the log spaced thereabove. A plurality of legs 18 are secured to the plate 14 opposite the log supporting members 16 for supporting the plate 14 spaced upwardly from a floor or other horizontal supporting surface upon which the firelog tray 10 is supported.

The rigid plate 14 of the firelog tray comprised a continuous sheet of material which is free of any apertures or slots so as to collect all material deposited thereon. The sheet is formed of thin rigid metal so as to be resistant to heat while maintaining the rigid form of the tray. The plate is formed to extend generally horizontally in a longitudinal direction of the tray by a length of the log 12 supported thereon and beyond between two opposed ends 20 of the tray. The plate also spans in a lateral direction by at least a width of the log 12 supported thereon and beyond between a front edge 22 and a rear edge 24 of a plate. The plate is curved in the longitudinal direction so as to have a concave inner surface 26 forming a generally U-shaped trough which is curved about the log 12 supported on the plate while being generally straight in the longitudinal direction along the length of the log.

The plate includes a central portion 28 which extends generally horizontally in the longitudinal direction between the opposed ends 20 of the plate at a location between the front edge 22 and rear edge 24 of the plate. The log supporting members are fixedly mounted onto the plate at the central portion 28 which forms the lowermost portion of the plate 14 of the tray. The firelog 12 is thus arranged to be supported directly above the central portion 28 of the plate.

The plate also includes a forward portion 30 which extends upwardly and generally forwardly in a lateral direction from the central portion 28 to the forward edge 22 of the plate forming the tray. The forward portion 30 thus similarly includes a concave inner surface and extends generally horizontally in the longitudinal direction between the opposed ends 20 of the plate.

The forward portion 30 is opposite a rearward portion 32 of the plate which extends upwardly and rearwardly from the central portion generally laterally outward opposite the forward portion 30 towards the rearward edge 24 of the plate. The rearward portion 32 similarly includes a concave inner surface and is arranged to extend horizontally in the longitudinal direction between the opposed ends 20 of the plate. The rearward portion 32 extends upwardly to the rear edge 24 which is higher than the front edge 22 and is arranged to be near or typically greater than a height of a firelog relative to the plate when the firelog is supported on the log supporting members 16.

The opposed ends 20 of the plate remain open and unobstructed between the forward and rearward portions 30 and 32 of the plate above the central portion 28 so that the generally U-shaped trough formed by the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion remains open and unobstructed at the ends thereof. The central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion are all formed integrally and continuously with one another.

Each of the front edge 22 and the rear edge 24 include a depending portion 34 of the plate which is folded downwardly relative to the respective forward portion or rearward portion of the plate with which it is formed integrally so that the front and rear edges of the plate are curved downwardly in a curve which opposes the curve of the inner surface of the plate. Accordingly, the depending portion 34 at both front and rear edges of the plate includes a convex upper surface and a concave downward surface which provides strength to the rigid shape of the plate while also serving as a convenient handle which may be readily grasped by a user when the tray has cooled and a user wishes to dispose of the ashes after combustion of a firelog.

The log supporting members 16 are all supported on the central portion 28 of the rigid plate forming the lowermost portion of the plate. Each of the log supporting members 16 comprises a rod like member which forms an elongate protrusion extending vertically upward from a fixed location mounted on the plate so as to be generally perpendicular to the plate. All of the log supporting members 16 extend upwardly to respective free ends at the same height relative to the plate at a location spaced above the plate so that the firelog 12 can be supported evenly at a generally common height on the free ends of the log supporting members 16 spaced above the plate with the only contact of the tray 1 0 with the log comprising the pointed free ends of the log supporting members 16. The log supporting members 16 are spaced apart in the longitudinal and in the lateral direction across the plate so that the spacing in two different directions across the plate supports a firelog in a stable configuration thereon spaced above the plate.

The legs 18 of the tray are fixed on the bottom or outer surface of the plate opposite the inner or top surface of the plate from which the log supporting members project. The legs 18 serve to support the tray on a horizontal supporting surface, for example the base of a fireplace so that the central portion extends generally horizontally in the longitudinal direction with the forward portion and the rearward portion of the plate extending upwardly and outwardly in two opposing directions therefrom.

The surfaces of the tray 10 include a reflective finish thereon for reflecting both light and heat from the combustion of the firelog back onto the firelog and outwardly into the room with which a fireplace receiving the tray therein communicates. The reflective finish of the surfaces of the tray may be formed by the polished surface of the material forming the plate and other components of the tray. In a preferred embodiment the surfaces of the plate and more particularly the inner surface which faces upwardly towards the log are plated with a highly reflective and heat resistant material, for example nickel.

In an exemplary method of manufacture, the legs and the log supporting members each comprise a rivet member having a shaft and a head at an inner end o the shaft. The rivet members are inserted through respective apertures formed in the plate such that the head of the rivet members are abutted about a periphery of the aperture. The rivet members forming the legs are inserted through the inner top surface of the plate to project downwardly through the plate. Alternatively, the rivet members forming the log supporting members are inserted through the outer bottom surface of the plate to project upwardly through the plate. The rivet members are welded into place in the respective apertures such that the surface of the plate remains continuous and free of any apertures once the tray is assembled.

In use the firelog tray replaces both a grate for supporting firelogs and a tray for collecting ash therefrom in a fireplace as a single integral device. The tray 10 supports a log thereon with minimum contact of the log to maximize airflow and combustion while also permitting ash to be readily collected and disposed after combustion. The trough like shape of the plate forming the tray serves to collect the ash falling from a log under combustion towards the center for easy disposing in a sliding manner through the open end of the tray by minimal tilting of the tray as opposed to fully inverting the tray as required for dumping ash in prior art tray configurations. The raised and curved rearward portion of the plate which is curved about the log serves to reflect a significant portion of the heat and light of combustion of the firelog back from the rear plate forwardly towards the firelog and an open room with which a fireplace receiving the tray communicates for maximizing appearance of the firelog combustion thereon.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A firelog tray for supporting a firelog thereon, the tray comprising: a rigid plate arranged to span in a longitudinal direction a length of a firelog to be supported above the plate and arranged to span in a lateral direction a width of the firelog to be supported above the plate; and a plurality of log supporting members mounted on the rigid plate, each comprising a protrusion extending upwardly from the plate to a free end spaced above the plate; the log supporting members being spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction of the plate so as to be arranged to support the firelog on the free ends of the log supporting members spaced above the plate.
 2. The tray according to claim 1 wherein the rigid plate comprises a continuous sheet of material which is free of apertures.
 3. The tray according to claim 1 wherein the log supporting members are supported on a lowermost portion of the rigid plate.
 4. The tray according to claim 3 wherein the rigid plate extends upwardly and outwardly in two opposing direction from the lowermost portion.
 5. The tray according to claim 3 wherein the lowermost portion of the plate comprises a central portion extending generally horizontally in the longitudinal direction and wherein there is provided a forward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the lateral direction from a forward side of the central portion and a rearward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the lateral direction from a rearward side of the central portion, the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion forming a trough extending in the longitudinal direction between opposite ends of the rigid plate and having a generally U-shaped cross section, at least one of the opposite ends being open and unobstructed.
 6. The tray according to claim 5 wherein the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion have a continuous inner surface which is generally concave so as to be arranged to be curved about the firelog to be supported above the plate.
 7. The tray according to claim 6 wherein the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion extend generally horizontally in the longitudinal direction and are curved in the lateral direction.
 8. The tray according to claim 5 wherein the rearward portion extends upwardly greater than the forward portion.
 9. The tray according to claim 5 wherein the rearward portion is arranged to extend upwardly to a rear edge of the plate which is arranged to be near to or greater than a height of the firelog to be supported on the log supporting members.
 10. The tray according to claim 5 wherein at least the rearward portion has a generally concave inner surface arranged to be curved about the firelog to be supported above the plate.
 11. The tray according to claim 1 wherein the log supporting members comprise elongate rod members mounted to extend upwardly from an upper face of the rigid plate and wherein there is provided a plurality of legs extending downwardly from an opposing lower face of the rigid plate, the legs being arranged to support the rigid plate spaced above a horizontal supporting surface upon which the legs are arranged to be supported.
 12. The tray according to claim 1 wherein a forward edge and a rearward edge of the rigid plate which extend in the longitudinal direction include a downwardly folded portion extending generally downwardly therefrom.
 13. The tray according to claim 1 wherein an inner surface of the rigid plate is arranged to be reflective.
 14. The tray according to claim 13 wherein at least the inner surface of the rigid plate includes a plating of reflective and heat resistant material thereon.
 15. A firelog tray for supporting a firelog thereon, the tray comprising: a rigid plate arranged to span in a longitudinal direction a length of a firelog to be supported above the plate and arranged to span in a lateral direction a width of the firelog to be supported above the plate, the rigid plate being formed of a continuous sheet of material which is free of apertures, the rigid plate further comprising: a central portion extending generally horizontally in the longitudinal direction; a forward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the lateral direction from a forward side of the central portion; and a rearward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the lateral direction from a rearward side of the central portion; the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion forming a trough extending in the longitudinal direction between opposite ends of the rigid plate and having a generally U-shaped cross section; at least one of the opposite ends being open and unobstructed; and a plurality of log supporting members mounted on the central portion of the rigid plate, at spaced apart positions relative to one another, so as to be arranged to support the firelog on the log supporting members spaced above the plate.
 16. The tray according to claim 15 wherein at least the rearward portion has a generally concave inner surface arranged to be curved about the firelog to be supported above the plate.
 17. The tray according to claim 15 wherein the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion have a continuous inner surface which is generally concave so as to be arranged to be curved about the firelog to be supported above the plate.
 18. A firelog tray for supporting a firelog thereon, the tray comprising: a rigid plate arranged to span in a longitudinal direction a length of a firelog to be supported above the plate and arranged to span in a lateral direction a width of the firelog to be supported above the plate, the rigid plate comprising: a central portion extending generally horizontally in the longitudinal direction; a forward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the lateral direction from a forward side of the central portion; and a rearward portion extending upwardly and outwardly in the lateral direction from a rearward side of the central portion; the central portion, the forward portion and the rearward portion forming a trough extending in the longitudinal direction between opposite ends of the rigid plate and having a generally U-shaped cross section; at least the rearward portion having a generally concave inner surface arranged to be curved about the firelog to be supported above the plate; and a plurality of log supporting members mounted on the central portion of the rigid plate, at spaced apart positions relative to one another, so as to be arranged to support the firelog on the log supporting members spaced above the plate.
 19. The tray according to claim 18 wherein the rearward portion is arranged to extend upwardly to a rear edge of the plate which is arranged to be near to or greater than a height of the firelog to be supported on the log supporting members.
 20. The tray according to claim 18 wherein an inner surface of the rigid plate is arranged to be reflective. 